If anyone needs a little help in beating Johnny Detroit I've got my favorite plays of the day for you.
TO BE THE MAN YOU HAVE TO BEAT THE MAN - time to lay the smackdown on Johnny Detroit!
BATTERS
Studs to Start
David Ortiz, Red Sox vs. Blue Jays ($99,008)
Ortiz is on fire in 2013 and continues to impress as he has returned from early season injuries. He is also 7 for 17 with 3 home runs, 5 RBI and 4 walks against Brandon Morrow and should continue to dominate him as the Sox host the Jays. Play the man!
Jose Bautista, Blue Jays vs. Red Sox ($80,080)
Across the diamond, Joey Bats makes the list for the second straight day. He has 3 doubles, 4 home runs and 8 RBI during his career against Jon Lester and he continues to show he is coming out of his early season funk. I would roll with Joey Bats if I was looking for a bopper in the bandbox known as Fenway Park.
Yoenis Cespedes, A’s vs. Mariners ($81,744)
Cespedes has only been in the league for a year plus but he does have some history against Mariners pitcher Iwakuma. He is 3 for 6 with 2 home runs against him and should be played. His price tag is reasonable and should easily fit into the 2nd or 3rd outfield spot on your team.
Value Plays
Scott Hairston, Cubs vs. Nationals ($44,340)
Speaking about a sleeper for the day, look no further then Hairston. He is 5 for 9 with 1 home run against Ross Detwiler and is a solid option for one of your utility spots at a cheap salary. He can hurt left-handed pitching and is confident at the plate. A solid pick to click.
Yadier Molina, Cardinals vs. Rockies ($68,432)
Need a low-priced catcher play for the day? Yadier Molina is your man, as he is 7 for 9 with 2 RBI against Jon Garland during his career. Despite no power numbers and a low RBI total in those 9 at-bats, if he is going to produce like that, while hitting a lineup with guys constantly on base, I like the chances of production for Molina.
Bench
Adam Dunn, White Sox vs. Angels ($52,000)
Dunn is off to another terrible start for the White Sox and just one more reason to bench him today is his 1 for 14 with 7 strikeout career batting line against Tommy Hanson. The Angels starter has his way with Dunn, thus you should not consider playing the big man.
Andrew McCutchen, Pirates vs. Mets ($82,576)
It is very hard to bench McCutchen right given how hot he is at the plate, but he is 2 for 14 with 4 strikeouts against Shaun Marcum during his career. While Marcum has regressed as a pitcher, 14 at-bats is a good sample size to bet against. Play a safer option in all formats.
Pablo Sandoval, Giants vs. Braves ($75,088)
Another slugger to rest on Friday is the Kung Fu Panda. Sandoval is 2 for 17 against Tim Hudson during his career and with the lack of power, production and success, find another player to slot in your lineup.
PITCHERS
Studs to Start
Max Scherzer, Tigers vs. Indians ($122,400)
For his career Scherzer has struggled against the Indians but is still averaging over 1 strikeout per inning against the Tribe. He also is more of a complete pitcher since he debuted and his early numbers against them can be thrown out. I like this play as the Tigers offense should pound Corey Kluber of Cleveland and get him a lead.
Alex Cobb, Rays vs. Padres ($107,360)
Cobb has not given up more then 4 earned runs in any start this season and that includes a start last week against the Rockies in Denver. He faces a Padres team that does not score in bunches and playing at home in the dome, Cobb should dominate a Padres team that loves to swing and miss.
Value Plays
Jose Fernandez, Marlins vs. Dodgers ($89,280)
Normally I would not play a Marlins arm against a loaded Dodgers lineup. But this Dodgers team, minus Hanley Ramirez and with the rest of the lineup in a funk, will be regretting the fact they have to face Fernandez. The young future ace of the Marlins dominated the Phillies his last time out and will look to put on another show in Hollywood. Given the Dodgers are tossing out a rookie that was list up his last time out, maybe the Fish can score some runs for him and get him a win.
Alexei Ogando, Rangers vs. Astros ($50,560)
This play is simple. Ogando, in his first start of 2013 went 6.1 innings on April 3rd against the Astros. He did not allow a run and struck out 10. No reason to think he cannot do it again and considering the ridiculously low price of $50k, this is a no brainer.
Bench
Yovani Gallardo, Brewers vs. Reds ($92,800)
Gallardo has yet to find his stride in 2013 and given the matchup and history, is someone to not play. Because he is a big name some owners may play him, but do not. He is 5-5 with an ERA approaching 5 in his career against the Reds, so avoid at all costs.
Tony Cingrani, Reds vs. Brewers ($139,680)
Gallardo’s opposite number Cingrani has pitched very well to begin his MLB career but the Brewers are heating up a bit offensively. With them adding Aramis Ramirez back in their lineup, they have another slugger to compliment Ryan Braun and with the bandbox they are playing in (Great American Ballpark), Cingrani may be an arm to avoid today given the depth of other options. Also, being the most expensive arm out there seems quite excessive.